Resiliently compressible bobbin made of plastic material

ABSTRACT

A resiliently compressible bobbin made of a synthetic thermoplastic material which comprises two end rings, a plurality of intermediate rings spaced each other in parallel with and between the end rings, and a number of chair-spaced bent elements, each of which consists of two portions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin and secured to the rings and a portion extending parallel to the plane of the ring, interconnecting any two adjacent rings forming a tubular latticework. The bent elements are arranged regularly and uniformly in a circumferential row and connected longitudinally with each others by said intermediate rings, and bending direction of the bent elements in one circumferential row is opposite to that in adjacent circumferential rows.

United States Patent 11 1 Ono et a1.

[ RESILIENTLY COMPRESSIBLE BOBBIN MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL [73] Assignee: Osaka Bobbin Kabushiki Kaisha,

Osaka, Japan 22 Filed: Dec. 14, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 97,511

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Dec. 25, 1969 Japan 44/123414 (utility model) [52] US. Cl. 242/ll8.ll [51] Int. Cl B6511 75/24, B65h 75/10 [58] Field of Search 242/118.11, 118.1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1969 Tigges et a1 242/1 18.11 6/1960 Cederberg 242/1 18.1

[ Aug. 21, 1973 Hahm 242/1l8.1l Hahm 242/118.1l

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT A resiliently compressible bobbin made of a synthetic thermoplastic material which comprises two end rings, a plurality of intermediate rings spaced each other in parallel with and between the end rings, and a number of chair-spaced bent elements, each of which consists of two portions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin and secured to the rings and a portion extending parallel to the plane of the ring, interconnecting any two adjacent rings forming a tubular latticework. The bent elements are arranged regularly and uniformly in a circumferential row and connected longitudinally with each others by said intermediate rings, and bending direction of the bent elements in one circumferential row is opposite to that in adjacent circumferential rows.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 21, 1973 3,753,534

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Aug. 21, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 SheetsSheet I5 ll-llqllllllvum This invention relates to yarn bobbins employed for dyeing and heat treatment of yarn packages, more particularly, to an improvement in bobbins made of a plastic material which are resiliently compressible along the longitudinal axis thereof.

In recent years, there ave been proposed many various types of bobbins employed for package dyeing with the gradual progress of cheese dyeing method applied to various kind of yarns such as synethetic fiber yarns and the like. The most typical yarn bobbins as such have a plurality of small perforations for flowing dye liquor therethrough formed along their peripheral wall, which are, at present, put into practical uses in many applications.

However, when such a bobbin is used in the treatment such as dyeing of yarns, since it is not resiliently contracted, a treating liquor bath cannot accomodated many cheeses or yarns wound on bobboins, so that the treating capacity is often insufficient. Moreover, most of yarns shrink inherently in a dyeing or heat treatment. Particularly in case of remarkably shrinkable yarns, the winding density increases during the treatment resulting the fact that the layers of wound yarns become compact and tight, which brings about a problem of preventing a dye liquor from satisfactorily permeating the layers.

As one of means to solve such problems in package dyeing, there has also been proposed heretofore a dyeing technique utilizing a spring core which comprises a coiled spring and fine wires wound around two adjacent spiral helices of coiled spring. Yarn is wound on the spring core usually at a relatively high traverse speed to form a cheese, the cheeses are piled one upon another, standing their longitudinal axes vertically and then whole system of the piled cheeses is compresed in vertical direction. This method has advantages that a dye bath can accomodate more bobbins at one time, since their axial length can be shortened by compression, and that difference in density of yarn layer among cheeses can be minimized by compression.

On the other hand, however, when the cheese is compressed lengthwise, the yarn wound around the bobbin by traverse motion is somewhat loosened, while yarns in contact with the core are stretched, so that yarn breakage and unevenness of yarn tension which causes uneven dyeing are resulted.

Recently there have been further proposed resiliently compressible bobbins made of a thermoplastic resin in order to improve prior art bobbins as above. The proposed bobbins are composed of two end ring members and a plurality of flexible, wavy body members connecting these ring members and forming a cylindrical grating, wherein waves in any adjacent wavy body members are parallel to each other and lie in the cylinder surface. After winding yarn upon, the bobbins are compressed lengthwise and charged into a dye bath. However, when yarn is wound on the bobbin as such, the path of the winding yarn often runs substantially parallel with a part of the wavy body member and sometimes coincides therewith. This phenomenon leads to the fact that the innermost layer of yarn package easily gets into interstices of the grating-like bobbin when the yarn layer is loosened by the bobbin compression, whereby yarn breakage occurs or quality of the product will be degraded. Moreover, when the bobbin is compressed lengthwise, the interstices ofthe gratingliire body to flow liquid through is extremely narrowed so that passage ofliquid is remarkably hindered and, as a result, uniform treatment is not attainable.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved resiliently compressible bobbin to overcome various drawbacks of conventional bobbins as described above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide bobbins employable for cheese dyeing and heattreatment which are resiliently compressible conforming their own deformation to movements of the innermost yarn in a yarn layer formed thereon and whereby a smooth, homogeneous treatment of synthetic fiber yarn which shrinks during the treatment is performable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel compressible bobbin moulded from a synethtic plastic resin material, which permits flow of treating liquid to pass smoothly through its wall and which gives no damage to yarn wound thereon when it is compressed lengthwise.

Thus, to those ends, according to the invention, there is provided a bobbin moulded from a synthetic thermoplastic material, which comprises two end rings, a pluraiity of intermediate rings spaced each other in parallel with and between the end rings, and a number of bendable elements interconnecting any two adjacent rings forming a tubular latticework wherein the bent elements are arranged regularly and uniformly in a circumferential row and connected longitudinally with each others by said intermediate rings, and bending direction of the bendable elements in one circumferential row is opposite to that in adjacent circumferential rows.

in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two end rings of the bobbin are formed of flanges, one of which is provided with a projection having a slightly smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of the bobbin tube and the other of which has its inner perephery to fit said projection in, so that when a number of bobbins are superimposed one upon another, the bottom of an upper bobbin can be fit tightly in the top of a lower bobbin.

All other features of the bobbins according to the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specification hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings. it is needless to say, however, that it is possible to alter the construction and design of the bobbin as long as that is not deviated from the scope and spitit of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a bobbin of the invention wherein only the front side is shown for a better understanding and the both upper and lower flanges are partly cut off;

FIG. 2 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bobbin corresponding to FIG. l in a somewhat axially compressed state wherein a part of the bobbin is omitted;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 3 but with the bobbin axially more compressed than with the state of FIG. 3.

in FIG. H, a plurality of the intermediate rings (2) are disposed at suitable intervals in parallel with and between the both end rings (1) (l'). Between two adjacent rings i.e., between end ring (ll) or (11') and the adjacent intermediate ring (2) or between adjacent intermediate rings, a number of chair-shaped bendable elements (3) extend at suitable intervals. The thus-formed bobbin of tubular latticework comprising the rings (1) (1) (2) and the chair-shaped bendable elements (3) has a number of voids or holes which act as passage holes for the dye liquid or vapour in a dyeing or heat treatment. The shape of the bobbin of the invention may be either cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1 or frustoconical.

All the rings (1) (l') (2) and bendable elements (3) are flexible in nature and are moulded as one integral body by means of conventional means e.g., injection moulding from a thermoplastic material such as nylon, polypropylene and the like.

The essential feature of the bobbin of the invention resides in the construction of the chair-shaped bendable elements (3). Namely, as apparent from FIG. 1., the chair-shaped element (3) consists of two portions (3) (3') extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin and secured to the rings (2) (axially parallel portions) and a portion (3") extending parallel to the plane of the ring (2) (parallel-to-ring portion) which inter-connects each two axially parailel portions (3') (3'). Longitudinally contiguous chair-shaped bendable elements (3) are bendible alternately in opposite directions as shown in FIG. 3.

Any adjacent axially parallel portions (3') of adjacent bendable elements are contiguously connected in linear relationship to an intermediate ring (2) therebetween and any adjacent parallel-toring portions (3") extend parallel to each other and thus each bendable element constitutes, as a whole, a contiguous bending connection rib extending between the both end rings (1) (1'). In other words, the bending connection rib of the bobbin of the invention has portions only parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the bobbin, and none of its portions otherwise inclined to the axis.

it is preferred that the total length of two axially parallel portions (3) in each bendable element (3) be substantially equal to the distance between two rings bounding the bent element and be twice or slightly larger than twice the length of the parallel-to-ring portion (3").

The thickness of element (3) in a radial direction is equal to that of the ring (2) and is usually greater than the width in a circumferential direction of the element (3).

It is further possible to control the degree of compression of the bobbin by varying optionally thelength of the parallel-to-ring portion (3"). For instance, in case the length of the parallel-to-ring portion (3") is a half or less than that of the combined length of the axially parallel portions (3, 3') it is possible to compress axially the bobbin up to half or less of the original length.

In FIG. 1, both terminal end rings l) (l are formed of flanges which are so devised as to stabilize superimposing of bobbins. One flange (the lower end one in FIG. 1) is provided with a projection having a slightly smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of the bobbin and the other flange (the upper end one in H6. 1) has an inside diameter (4) which is recessed to conform to and receive therein the outside diameter of the projection (5). Thus, the bottom of a bobbin to be superimposed is fitted in the top of the adjacent bobbin, and the top of the former fits similarly in another adjacent bobbin, and so on to form an as sembly oi axially connected bobbins. It is needless to say that the embodiment as described above is desirable, but such flanges may not always be formed.

Each compressed state of the resiliently compressible bobbin of the present invention is shown in FIG. l, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, wherein at first the bobbin in FIG. l is in a state under no compression; in a somewhat compressed state in FIG. 3, wherein the parallel-to-ring portion 3") is inclined and the axial length of the bobbin is shortened by the compression while holding the initial diameter of the bobbin; and in a further compressed state in FIG. 4 wherein the axial length of the bobbin is further shortened by bending and at last the both terminals of the parallel-to-ring portion (3") become close together to the rings at the both sides. When the bobbin is in its most compressed state, the terminals of the parallel-to-ring portions (3") engage with the rings (2) at predetermined contact points and there are formed triangleor square-shaped voids or holes for flowing and passing dye liquid therethrough between each pair of rings (refer to FIG. 4).

In carrying out the heat-treatment or dyeing utilizing the bobbins of the present invention, the bobbins are first wound up with yarns in a suitable yarn layer density, subsequently compressed by pressing together from the both ends thereof, thereby making the yarn layer density homogeneous, and thereafter placed in a dyeing machine or heat-treatment machine to accomplish the treatment in which the bobbins are superimposed one another by tight fitting the lower projections in the top end of lower bobbin. Thus the yarn package in a homogeneous density may be treated with dye liquid or vapour being well flown and passing through the triangleor square-shaped holes in the peripheral wall of the bobbin, and no unevenness of treatment is brought about since shrinkage of yarns is absorbed by their slackening caused by compression of the bobbin. Furthermore, the unwinding resistance of the yarn wound around the bobbin can be greatly decreased owing to simultaneous compression of the bobbin and yarns layers.

It should be noted that, according to the bobbin of the invention, diagonally conveyed yarns never fall in the voids on the bobbin wall under any circumstances owing to the fact that the bendable elements have only parallel and perpendicular portions to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin, but winding yarns are always held on the connecting ribs so that layers of yarn are prevented from entering and getting caught in the gap of the bendable elements. Furthermore, although the layers of wound yarn shift in the perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis when the bobbin is compressed, the parallel-to-ring portions (3") turn by their distortional movement at the same time, so that layers of shifting yarn can also be prevented from entering in the gap of the bendable elements.

According to the bobbin of the present invention as described above, it is possible to perform dyeing or heat-treatment smoothly and homogeneously by utilizing the same, since good compression thereof conforming to movement of traversing yarns can be conducted.

What is claimed is:

1. A. resiliently compressible bobbin made of a synthetic thermoplastic material comprising: two end rings, a plurality of intermediate rings positioned between said end rings in spaced-apart parallel relationship with respect to each other and with respect to said end rings, and a plurality of bendable elements positioned between each two adjacent rings each consisting of two linear terminal portions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin and secured to the rings and one linear intermediate portion extending perpendicular to said terminal portions and interconnecting said two terminal portions thereby interconnecting each two adjacent rings and forming a hollow latticework, and wherein the bendable elements positioned between each two adjacent rings are arranged regularly and uniformly in a circumferential row and wherein each adjacent terminal portion of the bendable elements in adjacent circumferential rows lie in a straight, connected line with each other to enable bending of the bendable elements in one circumferential row in a bending direction opposite to that of the bendable elements in adjacent circumferential rows in response to compressive forces axially applied to said bobbin.

2. A bobbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein said end rings comprise flanges, one of which is provided with a projection having a slightly smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of said hollow latticework and the other of which has means therein defining a recess dimensioned to receive therein said projection, whereby a plurality of bobbins may be releasably assembled together in an axial array.

3. A bobbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the total length of the terminal portions parallel to the longitudinal axis in each bendable element is substantially twice the length of the intermediate portion parallel.

4. A bobbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow lattice-work of the bobbin on which yarn is wound around has a cylindrical configuration.

5. A bobbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow latticework of the bobbin on which yarn is wound around has a frusto-conical configuration.

6. A resiliently compressible bobbin composed of resiliently deformable material comprising: a plurality of rings positioned in mutually spaced-apart parallel relationship; and a series of resiliently deformable elements positioned in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship between and connected to each two adjacent rings collectively defining therewith a hollow latticework, each resiliently deformable element having a pair of elongated end portions each connected at one end to different ones of adjacent rings at circumferentially spaced-apart and longitudinally offset locations therealong with respect to each other and having means interconnecting the other ends of said elongated end portions for resiliently deforming into engagement with said adjacent rings at predetermined contact points thereon during axial compression of the bobbin to limit the extent of axial compression of the bobbin.

7. A resiliently compressible bobbin according to claim 6; wherein each elongated end portion extends in a linear direction, and wherein said means interconnecting the other ends of each said pair of elongated end portions comprises an intermediate linear portion extending transversely with respect to each said pair of end portions.

8. A resiliently compressible bobbin according to claim 6; wherein each pair of elongated end portions associated with each resiliently defomrable element extend in linear parallel directions, and wherein said means interconnecting the other ends of each said pair of elongated end portions comprises an intermediate linear portion extending transversely with respect to each said pair of end portions whereby axial compression of the bobbin effects bending of said elongated end portions relative to their associated rings and angular displacement of said intermediate linear portions into engagement with their associated adjacent rings thereby limiting the extent of axial compression of the bobbin.

9. A resiliently compressible bobbin according to claim 8; wherein all said elongated end portions extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin and all said intermediate linear portions extend perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 

1. A resiliently compressible bobbin made of a synthetic thermoplastic material comprising: two end rings, a plurality of intermediate rings positioned between said end rings in spacedapart parallel relationship with respect to each other and with respect to said end rings, and a plurality of bendable elements positioned between each two adjacent rings each consisting of two linear terminal portions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin and secured to the rings and one linear intermediate portion extending perpendicular to said terminal portions and interconnecting said two terminal portions thereby interconnecting each two adjacent rings and forming a hollow latticework, and wherein the bendable elements positioned between each two adjacent rings are arranged regularly and uniformly in a circumferential row and wherein each adjacent terminal portion of the bendable elements in adjacent circumferential rows lie in a straight, connected line with each other to enable bending of the bendable elements in one circumferential row in a bending direction opposite to that of the bendable elements in adjacent circumferential rows in response to compressive forces axially applied to said bobbin.
 2. A bobbin As claimed in claim 1 wherein said end rings comprise flanges, one of which is provided with a projection having a slightly smaller outside diameter than the outside diameter of said hollow latticework and the other of which has means therein defining a recess dimensioned to receive therein said projection, whereby a plurality of bobbins may be releasably assembled together in an axial array.
 3. A bobbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein the total length of the terminal portions parallel to the longitudinal axis in each bendable element is substantially twice the length of the intermediate portion parallel.
 4. A bobbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow lattice-work of the bobbin on which yarn is wound around has a cylindrical configuration.
 5. A bobbin as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow latticework of the bobbin on which yarn is wound around has a frusto-conical configuration.
 6. A resiliently compressible bobbin composed of resiliently deformable material comprising: a plurality of rings positioned in mutually spaced-apart parallel relationship; and a series of resiliently deformable elements positioned in circumferentially spaced-apart relationship between and connected to each two adjacent rings collectively defining therewith a hollow latticework, each resiliently deformable element having a pair of elongated end portions each connected at one end to different ones of adjacent rings at circumferentially spaced-apart and longitudinally offset locations therealong with respect to each other and having means interconnecting the other ends of said elongated end portions for resiliently deforming into engagement with said adjacent rings at predetermined contact points thereon during axial compression of the bobbin to limit the extent of axial compression of the bobbin.
 7. A resiliently compressible bobbin according to claim 6; wherein each elongated end portion extends in a linear direction, and wherein said means interconnecting the other ends of each said pair of elongated end portions comprises an intermediate linear portion extending transversely with respect to each said pair of end portions.
 8. A resiliently compressible bobbin according to claim 6; wherein each pair of elongated end portions associated with each resiliently defomrable element extend in linear parallel directions, and wherein said means interconnecting the other ends of each said pair of elongated end portions comprises an intermediate linear portion extending transversely with respect to each said pair of end portions whereby axial compression of the bobbin effects bending of said elongated end portions relative to their associated rings and angular displacement of said intermediate linear portions into engagement with their associated adjacent rings thereby limiting the extent of axial compression of the bobbin.
 9. A resiliently compressible bobbin according to claim 8; wherein all said elongated end portions extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bobbin and all said intermediate linear portions extend perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 